“The Realtor Foundation ... allows me to continue to work as a fundraiser with the added opportunity for grant-making,” says Gabrielle Benson, manager of the charitable organization.
(Photo: Michelle Pemberton/The Star)

Gabrielle Benson once described her dream job as being one where she could “raise money and give it away.”

So, when she saw the opening for a manager of the Realtor Foundation, Benson didn’t hesitate to apply. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors.

Previously, Benson was the director of development and public relations at Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis. Prior that, she was assistant director of development for the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

“I’ve spent my career to this point completely in the nonprofit sector as a professional fundraiser,” said Benson, “The Realtor Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of MIBOR, allows me to continue to work as a fundraiser with the added opportunity for grantmaking.”

She recently talked to us for our How I Landed My Job feature and discussed her career path and what makes her a success in her new position:

--Question: How does your previous employment experience help in this position?

--Answer: I’ve tried to be really strategic with every career move. I began my career at the IU Foundation and learned from some of the best fundraisers in the nation. I’ve since taken positions with the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis. With each move, I tried to absorb information and advice on nonprofit leadership. I can relate so well to our grant recipients, because I’ve been in their shoes. I understand how hard, yet rewarding their work can be.

--Q: How long did it take to get this job? About four weeks.

--A: What steps did you take? Before applying, I did a lot of research on the Realtor Foundation and the issue of homelessness to make sure the role would be a good fit for my skills and interests. I discovered that domestic violence was the leading cause of homelessness in women and children. The more I learned, the more impassioned I became. I also looked at their financial statements and annual reports. After my first interview, I followed up rather persistently to reiterate my interest. This job was too perfect to let pass by.

--Q: What advice would you give others?

--A: Find a way to make yourself stand out in a pile of resumes. In the nonprofit sector, demonstrate your passion for the mission by referencing statistics or a personal story.

--Q: What would you be doing if you didn’t land this job?

--A: I would probably still be with the strong, smart, and bold staff at Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis.

To recommend someone for this feature, call Jill Phillips at (317) 444-6246 or email her at jill.phillips@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @JillPhillips05.

More about Gabrielle Benson

--Title: Manager at the Realtor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors.

--Age: 30.

--Resume highlight/proudest moment on the job: I’m very proud of our Feed the Fight event this year. This event had not been a significant money maker for us in the past. With the event committee’s hard work securing sponsorships and a focused strategy to generate additional revenue at the event, we were able to net more than $17,000 to support our grant making.

--Education: Bachelor’s degree from DePauw University. Benson is pursuing an MBA from Anderson University. She also is a graduate of the Lacy Leadership Association Leadership Education and Development program and a member of the Marion County Commission on Youth public policy committee.

--Family: Benson and her husband, David, have a son and two beagles.

--Quote: “Hope is not a strategy.” You can’t get to your goals by just crossing your fingers.